DRY FARMING 



IN 



WYOMING 



ira» 



Prepared by 

DR. V. T. COOKE 

Expert in 

DRY FARMING 



# 



Published under Supervision 
of the 

STATE DRY FARMING COMMISSION 

CHEYENNE, WYO. 



DRY FARMING 

IN 

WYOMING 



PREPARED BV 

DR. V. T. COOKE 

Expert in Drv Farming 



PUBLISHED UNDER THE SUPERVISION 

OF THE 

STATE DRY FARMING COMMISSION 

CHEYENNE, WYOMING 




THE S. A. BRISTOL CO. 
CHEYENNE. WVO. 



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*^i ot 0. 



DRY FARMING 



IN 



WYOMING 



The term Diy Farming is somewliat new to the popular mind 
and needs defining. The term is scientifically incorrect, and 
.should be replaced by "Scientific Farming/' as more nearly de- 
scribing the special line of agriculture thus designated. From the 
general talk anyone would suppose that there were some special 
new methods, ideas and implements which must be used in order 
that Dry Farming may l)e a success. As a matter of fact Dry 
Farming is the oldest kind of farming, for crops have been raised 
since agriculture began with scanty amount of moisture furnished 
by rainfall. In the arid West, where it has ]>een considered im- 
possible to i-aise crops save by irrigation, Dry Farming means the 
raising of profitable crops where the rainfall is as low as eight inch- 
es per annum. This kind of farming has been practiced in Cali- 
fornia for over forty years and in eastern Oregon and eastern 
Washington for ovei' twenty-five years. In tiiese states it has 
been demonstrated that by deep plowing and a pro])ei' system of 
cultivation, two years' inoistui'c may be held for one l)ig crop. 
This is the system of summei- fallowing and tilling one-half the 
farm area without crop each year, using the other half to produce 
crops. The apparent reason why systems of Dry Farming were 
not earlier established in Wyoming seems to be because of the 
failures which overtook those settlers who, in the early '80s, at- 
tempted to establish agriculture in Western Kansas and Nebras- 
ka, where the old methods which had been practiced under heavy 
amounts of rainfall farther east, failed to succeed. Farther west, 



DRY KARMIXCi IX WVOMINO 

as indicated, the two-year rotation system of Dry Farniina; lias 
been long practiced with a rainfall which is less favorable in 
amount and time it is received than that in Wyoming. In parts 
of this State, however, notably along the eastern border and in the 
northeastern corner of this State, farmers have been subsisting l)y 
agriculture without irrigation for some yeai's. Three years ago 
the Commercial Club, now the Industrial Club, of Cheyenne, took 
up the matter, raised some funds for the purpose and secured co- 
operation with the Irrigation Investigations, Department of Ag- 
riculture, and the State Experiment Station for the establishment 
of a Demonstration Farm near Cheyenne. A company was also 
formed of private citizens to Ijegin the development of this indus- 
try, and the last Legislature made an appropriation of $5,000.00, 
placing it in the hands of Governor B. B. Brooks. The writer had 
been employed by the citizens' Conunittee and carried out two 
seasons' work, obtaining results which were very promising. These 
experiments were conducted almost within the city limits of Chey- 
enne. Last season 56 l:)ushels of beardless barley and 38§ bushels 
of Macaroni wheat were raised to the acre, besides a large crop of 
oats, the yield of which was not computed. There were sown 
three tracts of alfalfa on one acre, five acres and ten acres respect- 
ively, and up to the present time these alfalfa fields give promise 
of being successful. There are numerous fields throughout the 
State in which alfalfa is being raised entirely without irrigation, 
and it is the opinion of the writer (from past experience where the 
conditions were not as favorable) that one big crop can be raised, 
and most likely a second if rain should fall at the right time. 

When the money appropriated by the State Legislature be- 
came available, the writer was placed in charge of that work and, 
in addition to carrying out some demonstrations on convenient 
lands near Cheyenne, he is expected to assist anyone throughout 
the State interested in this Avork l)y giving information and ad- 
vice. He can be reached at any time by addressing him at Chey- 
enne. It is the purpose of this paper to give the conditions in the 
State favorable to Dry Farming and compare them to those in 
other parts of the West where this kind of agriculture has been 
successfully practiced. 

Of the total area of Wyoming, approximately one-half is still 
Government land open to entry, and it seems that about twenty 
million acres of the State can be lirought under cultivation and 
made to produce profitable crops without artificial irrigation. Not 
only is the rainfall sufficient, if the moisture can he properly con- 
served, but it comes at a time when most needed by crops, which 
must add mateiially to the success of the farmer. 

The dates of precipitation show the following average in Lar- 
amie county for the entire period of record: 



DRY FAKMINC I.N WYOMIXC 



1871. 
1872. 

1873. 
1874. 

1875, 
187(i . 
1877. 
1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882. 
1883. 
1884. 
1885. 
1886. 
1887 . 
1888. 
1899. 



9. 
13. 
10 

9, 
12 

5 
11 
12 

7, 

8 
11 

8 
19 
15 
16 



14 
14 



It 

80 
01 
75 
10 
04 
71 
64 
34 
38 
88 
64 
24 
54 
12 



51 
65 



1890 

1891 

1892 . 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904. 

1905 

1906 



14 
18 
13 
9 
12 
14 
20 

.17 
13 

,14 
16 
14 

,16 
12 
15 

.22 
17 



47 
97 
50 
22 
98 
76 
79 
25 
05 
18 
09 
99 
50 
25 
72 
.68 
65 



Averasp 13.58 



The records will show that three-foui'ths of all this precijii- 
tation comes during the growing months. On the other hand, in 
Utah, Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Eastern AYashington and Califor- 
nia, where successful Dry Farming is established, the precipita- 
tion comes in the winter time and not when crops need it most. 
As a rule there is very little rain during that part of the year from 
spring to fall, and the wind blows fully as much, if not more, than 
it does in \\ yoming. drying up much of the moisture. In Wyo- 
ming we are free from those scorching hot winds which prevail 
during certain seasons over large parts of the states farther west. 
There is another immense advantage in the distribution of i-ain- 
fall and that is, by discing the stubble ground after crops are taken 
off, we con.serve and hold what moisture thei'e is in the soil, pre- 
pare it so it readily absoi'bs what falls later, and this enables us to 
plow the ground in the fall. This cannot be done where the 
dry season comes in the summer, for the ground is not in con- 
dition to be plowed in the fall, at least not until the fall rains 
come, because it is so hard and dry. Th? work at Chey- 
enne demonstrates that proper cultivatijju does conserve the 
moisture and keeps the ground in condition to be worked. It 
must be remembered that for countless ages the virgin soils of 
Wyoming have been packed by buffalo and stock running over 
them and that there are immense tracts throughout the arid re- 
gion where the soil has probably never been wet to a depth of (w(» 
feet. .After the breaking up of this sui-face. however, the moist- 
ure "oes into the subsoil and is saved and accuniulatiMl so the con- 



8 DRY FARMING IN WYOMING 

(Utioius are entirely changed. These arid soils are very rich in 
mineral plant foods and all of them have enough humus and ni- 
trogen, when new, to support plant growth, and the occasional 
production of legumes, which gather nitrogen from the air, is all 
that is necessary to keep them perpetually fertile. It is a well 
demonstrated fact that any crops suitable to the latitude and alti- 
tude will produce large yields when raised by irrigation and it 
seems that with proper soil tillage we can do much without irri- 
gation. Brief instructions for Dry Farming in those localities 
where the conditions are suitable are as follows : 

At the higher altitudes in the State short season crops can 
probably be made to mature with less moisture than they can 
where the season is longer and comparatively hot. The general 
statement may be made that the soil conditions over large areas 
of the vState are suitable to the conservation of moisture when it 
is properly tilled. 

Systkm. 

The system reconuuended for Wyoming is that which has 
been practiced in the arid portions of the West Coast States for 
more than a generation, with such modifications as are adapted to 
our different conditions of soil, climate and rainfall. It consists 
in holding two years' moisture for one big crop. There are quite 
a number who misunderstand, when we speak of getting a crop 
every other year. It is true we only get a crop off the same land 
every other year, or under favorable conditions, say two years 
out of three, but we must recollect that we get crops by this method 
when the seasons are dryer than usual and that we get one big 
crop with one plowing, one seeding, several cultivations, practi- 
cally two years' moisture and one harvesting. The farmer simply 
divides his land into two portions, on one-half raising crops, the 
other half being summer fallowed. By this method, which is 
easily understood and carried out, the farmer has a long season 
instead of a short one and drives his work instead of being driven 
by it. 

Plowing. 

The plowing must be deep. The plan recommended in this 
State is to plow old ground eight or nine inches deep. It is al- 
ways better to plow" in the fall, where possible, in order that the 
ground may absorb the winter's moisture, the sod become decom- 
posed, and the soil sufficiently compacted so a good seed bed can 
be formed for spring planting. 



DRY FAKiVIIN(i IX WVOMINc; 9 

Harrowi\'(;, 

All sprin,<i and suiunicr plowiiiii- should !)(> tli()i'uut;lil_\' har- 
rowed the .same day it is plowed. It takes just as much time to 
harrow the plowed ground to-day as it does to-morrow or next 
day, other things being equal, but it make.s much diPference in the 
conservation of the moisture when harrowing is doiie. If possi- 
ble harrow, (and drill as well) diagonally or at right angles to the 
way in which the prevailing winds blow. The object in doing 
this is to prevent the land from drifting or blowing; to hold the 
snow which falls on the plowed groimd or winter grain, and to 
prevent the particle.s of soil or snow from injuring the young grain 
in the drill furrows by being carried along these furrows l)y the 
wind. Others have strongly recommended that those who are 
summer fallowing their ground should get on to it with the drug 
hari'ow immediately after any rain or snow. This is not always 
necessary, but what we must do is to get on to the ground as soon 
as it is dry enough after every heavy rain or big snow. This har- 
I'owing must not be deferred too long, because if we wait the sur- 
face of our soil will become very dry and is more lial)le to drift 
when we cultivate. The farmer must use his judgment and get 
on to the ground as early as conditions will ho favoi'abl(> to doing 
good woi'k. 

M.\iXTAi\iX(; TUK Son, Mii.ch. 

The soil mulch is one of the most ini{)ortaiit f.ictors in our 
success as Dry Farmers. It is l)y the soil mulch that we are able 
to conserve the moisture, prevent its loss by cxapoi'ation and al>- 
sorbing all that comes to the soil by precij)itation or from dews or 
other moisture in the air. The sununer-fallow ground should l>e 
in a granular form of small lumps, but care should be taken not to 
get it too fine. The object of cultivating the sunnner-fallowed 
soil is to prevent the foi-mation of a ci'ust ; to allow the proper ac- 
tion of the sun and air; to break up tiie capillaries and pi'event 
the moisture I'ising to the surface and evaporating, and to inter- 
cept the growth of weeds. The moist ui-e in the soil goes up and 
down by, capillary movement and we ke(>p our soil cult i\ ati^l to 
break the U])])er connection and to pi'e\-(Mit this loss of Mioi>;t ui-c. 

Sow ix(. I'll i: Cuoi'. 

Winter gi'ain should be sown early, say n(»t hitcr th-aii tlie end 
of August oi' beginning of September. This will gi\-c the grain a 
good start and it will be in better condition to stand the winter. 
Spring grain should be sown as early in the spring as the groimd 
can be put in good condition and danger of hard freezing of the 
soil is i)ast. It has become a recognized fact that we have been 



10 DKV KAHMlXi; IX WYOMING 

ill tlu> li:il)it of iiuiking the very serious and great mistake of sow- 
ing too much seed per acre. The experience of the most intelU- 
gent and up-to-date farmers shows that I)}' sowing thirty to forty 
pounds of wheat per acre in the fall, better results will be ol)tained 
than with more seed. One of the advantages of sowing a mini- 
mum amount of good seed on summer-fallowed ground and sowing 
it earlv in the fall is, that we make a long season of a short one, and, 
other tilings being equal, the earlier the grain is sown the greater 
is its chance of stooling. For the same reason we should sow a 
larger proportion of seed when we are late with the work in the 
spring. If the season is well advanced and the ground moist and 
warm the grain starts and grows so rapidly that it does not take 
time to stool. Another thing of vital importance in any kind of 
farming is to see that the seeds are planted properly, and, in the 
opinion of the writer, there is no greater mistake made than to 
pra(!tice broad-casting, either by hand or by a machine. \\'hen 
broad-casted the ground is harrowed or cultivated une\'enly— 
some of it is too deep, some of it is not deep enough — and no doubt 
many failures are due to this method of sowing. The press drill 
is one of the essential implements for the Dry Farmer. It puts 
the grain in in proper shape and to the right depth, pressing the 
soil around the seed, which insures moisture to cause it to germi- 
nate, and there is much satisfaction in knowing that our work is 
done properly. We gain, in this way, a week or ten days by put- 
ting the grain into moist grotmd at a uniform depth. There is a 
large saving of seed also, and, where we are farming extensively, 
this is quite an important item, especially when we consider what 
first class seed costs. The man who sows alfalfa broad-cast gen- 
erally puts in from twenty to forty potmds of seed per acre, when 
if he uses a press drill, ten to twelve pounds of seed will l)e suffi- 
cient, either under irrigation or dry farm practice. 

Skioi) to r.sK. 

There is no greater mistake made and one for wluch there is 
no excuse, loy the man who wants results, (and that is what we 
are all after) than to use any l:>ut the best seed ol)tainal;)le. Like 
produces like, l^e sure and use those seeds that are raised with- 
out irrigation if it is possible to obtain them. It is most important 
to get seed which is thoroughly clean, free fiom weed seeds and 
all othei- impurities. The cost of such seeds is of very little im- 
l)ortance compared with tlie results which the best is -^ure to give. 

CtU.TIN ATlXd. 

Fndei- this system of farming a soil mulch must l)e main- 
tained, not only on The fallow ground, where frecpient harrowings 





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12 DRY FARMING IN WYOMING 

will be all that is necessary, hut also on the land which is raising 
the crop. In the spring t]K)roughly harrow your winter grain (or 
use a weeder) and rememlier that to do this pi-operly requires that 
the harrow teeth shall be sharp. Hari-ow teeth like the top of a 
broom handle cannot do effective work. There are a large num- 
ber of farmers who are actually afraid of harrowing their grain 
for fear of tearing out too much. We can only say, try it. The 
man who once harrows with a good team and sharp harrow teeth 
will not only have no cause to regret it but will see that it is always 
done in the future. I wish to emphasize the importance of culti- 
vating growing cereals with the harrow. Alfalfa and grass mead- 
ows should be thoroughly disced. After the second year there is 
little or no danger of injuring alfalfa with the disc even though 
the surface soil is pulverized into a comparatively good seed-bed. 
Because alfalfa permanently occupies the land, discing and har- 
rowing is the only method I)y which the soil moisture can l)e prop- 
erly saved and this is one of the secrets of success in this kind of 
farming. Potatoes, corn and other rowed crops should be har- 
rowed up to the time they get too large, and after that shallow level 
culture should be followed until the crop is laid by. 

Harn Ksrixci. 

Of course the harvest may be carried on by ordinary methods, 
but the soil should not l)e neglected at this time. Where our rain- 
fall comes during the summer, discing the stulible after harvesting 
grain is important. After harvesting potatoes or sugar beets the 
drag harrow should be used to break up the lumps and re-establish 
the soil mulch. P)arley or other grains that can be used for feed 
without threshing should be harvested when in the stiff dough. 
This prevents, in a measure, re-seeding the ground through the 
grain shattering out. for in this counti'y ail the ripe grain which 
drops on the ground in the fall comes up the next spring as a vol- 
unteer crop. If the grain can be fed without threshing it is mar- 
keted in the best possible way from the farm and saves the cost 
of threshing and handling. 

Crops to Raisk. 

Those crops which are grown in i-ows and only occupy a part 
of the ground, like potatoes and corn, where the season is long 
enough, will mature with the least use of moisture. Among our 
small grains tlie drouth-resistant sorts are vei'v im})ortant. Mac- 
aroni or Durum wheat is one of the liest. Polish wheat is a 
drouth-resistant sort and is good where it is to l)e used for stock 
feed. Spelt or emmer is a most excellent stock food and one of 
the best drouth-resistant sorts. Barley, either the bald or hulless 
or the beardless brewing l)arley, foi- feed, is a short season cro]) 



l)li^ I'AHMIXc; IN UVOMIN'C! 13 

wliicli will mature with a niiniimitn amouiil of moisture. Oats 
do well in. all parts of Wyoming, the earlier varieties being l)est 
where moisture is scarce. Alfalfa will succeed, and it is important 
to get seed which is raised in the North where the seasons are 
short and in the arid country without irrigation. Where the 
season is long and warm, the sorghums make good crops. Hrome 
grass is one of the best drouth-resistant crops for pastiu'e purposes, 
but it quickly gets sod-bound and it must be harrowed or disced 
to keep it producing well. White sweet clover is being tested 1)y 
the Experiment Station and developed by one of our plant l)ree(l- 
ers to so improve it that it will become a valuable crop for Dry 
Farming and an important feed with grain for use in fattening 
stock, especially lam})s. French clover or sainfoin is a hardy 
drouth resisting clover at high altitudes. The winter grains ai'e 
especially favorable for Dry Farming, because the summer-fallow 
method properly prepares the ground for such seed and the spi'ing 
rains are sufficient to mature the crop. Winter rye is one of the 
most successful dry farm crops. Rye is not ap[n-eciated as it 
should be, for it is one of the best feeds for hogs that can be pro- 
duced. 

Mixed Farming. 

The best paying dry farms will be those in which a system of 
cropi)ing and feeding stock is comlnned. Where the crops are fed 
to stock at the farm there is practically no loss of fertility. The 
manure is an important item to l)e added to arid soil as it increases 
their humus, making them more retentive of moisture as well as 
richer in plant food. As has been suggested also, where grains 
are raised for stock feed they may be cut early and fed in the bim- 
dle, which avoids the extra work of threshing and hauling to mar- 
ket. There are most excellent opportunities in Wyoming on 
account of our market facilities and favorable climate for finishing 
lambs or old sheep, cattle and swine, principally hogs of the bacon 
type, and such system of fai'ming will be sure to bring the lai'gest 
profit. 

Size of Farm. 

One man with a small amount of extra help shoukl be able 
to farm at least 160 acres by the summer-fallow method. This 
depends on his knowing how to take advantage of conditions and 
on having the proper ecpiipment. Four-horse tools pay. A man 
or boy with four good horses and a three-section harrow can har- 
row thirty to thirty-five acres per day. Using twice the power, 
by having plenty of horses and dou))lo size machinery enables one 
man to do two men's work, which is the most economical method. 



14 DRY FAU.MIXC IX ^VyC).MI^■G 



Eon PM KNT X K ED ] :d . 



Dry Fai'ming doe.s not i'ec[uire any special or ntnv equipment. 
There are some things which are absohitely essential, however, if 
the dry farmer will make his business profitable. He should have 
four 01' six horses, a three-section drag harrow, a 2-12 or 14 inch 
gang plow, a good disc harrow, and the ones with the small discs 
do the best work. The discs should not l)e larger than fourteen 
inches, though most of them are now being made sixteen inches in 
diameter. An Acme harrow is a valuable instrument for main- 
taining soil mulch. The farmer will also need one or two good 
cultivators and, if he lias a farm large, enough to pa}^ he will re- 
quire his own harvesting machinery. It is sometimes most eco- 
nomieal for several farmers to club together and buy one harvest- 
ing machine rather than for each to have his own. The press drill 
is one of the essentials. This may be either of the shoe or the disc 
type. The disc drill has some advantages where there is much 
stubble or refuse, like coarse manure on the ground, but on well 
prepared summer-fallow ground the shoe drill with press wheels 
following to firmly pack the seed probably does the best work. 
There are places where there are heavy clay soils to contend with 
that a double press wheel should be used instead of the single 
press wheel ordinarily placed on these drills. If the soil bakes the 
double press wheel will leave a crack or opening in the center 
directly over the seed through which the germinating plantlets 
can push their way out of the ground. It is not necessary here to 
go into details of the farm buildings and fences required for they 
are something to be worked out according to the capital and tastes 
of each individual farmer. The point I would make in speaking 
of equipment necessary is that it does not require any neiv or com- 
plicated or expensive machinery to do siiccessfid Dry Farming under 
the best methi ds. 



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